Like most I have heard references and knew the gist of what the papers exposed but now finally reading through what was leaked then, and in the subsequent follows in 1978 it is astounding that the revelations did not cause more disenchantment with the US government or at the least question its policies.
Perhaps the looming threat of an over dressed Soviet Union helped to satiate instincts of dissent? Maybe other scandals, rising petrol costs, stagflation etc robbed the papers of their true impact or maybe like with the Wikileaks revelations of 2010 most people really do not care.
The allies that are disdainfully insulted are hand jobbed back to diplomatic smiles and the foes across the oceans fail to exploit it because though they likely already knew much of it, it is accepted as business as usual.
The dead, the millions of dead civilians then and still dying…just ash in the wind of histories greatness. Note even a footnote worthy of a eulogy, soldiers at the least get a lip service of memorials and necrotic rituals and the cheque of a mercenary for their service but the millions inside South East Asia and elsewhere suffer.
It really is sickening and disheartening when stacked with all of the other realities we know thanks to the brave reporting from the many guests on Scott’s show and the tireless effort of aid workers and real first responders, most unpaid, who try and mend instantly and over time the mayhem wrought by professionals who care only about career and contemporary politics.
Just a limp rant on my part, but I figured if I can not share it among the like minded then it will likely just echo inside my own head.
Be safe and all the best guys and girls
Kym
